Believer ~Jean x Reader AU~

Chapter 29: Monster

The seconds ticked by, each rolling into a minute until eventually an hour had passed. The occasional officer would drift into the room to have a word with Marco and that moment was no different. Of course, that said, we weren't allowed to be in the room with him during the questioning since we weren't family. So, Jean and I wandered around the halls, our legs carrying us to wherever they chose. All the while, I stayed to the side, slightly behind him...observing him.

I watched as he walked with his shoulders relaxed and head held high, his hands both shoved into his pockets. He took long and steady strides, the soles of his Vans tapping at the linoleum. His gaze remained trained on the path before him, his lips pressed in a hard line. I couldn't really read him, which annoyed me more than it should have. There was no reason for me to understand what was going through his head...but still...it irked me.

"Didn't you need to study?" he asked abruptly, glimpsing down at me.

I perked up a little and shrugged, "Yeah, but I figured seeing if Marco was okay was more important than that, remember?"

I could feel him observe me before breathing, "Your call." There was a brief silence before he continued, "Ya know...you didn't need to come. I'm sure word about this will spread like wildfire at MRU, so it's not like you would've missed anything."

I glanced up, studying him. He was facing forward, his eyes avoiding mine as if he was trying to hide. But, why? Was he embarrassed? Was it because I had seen him at a low point? I didn't understand.

In an attempt to lighten the mood, I giggled, "Hey, don't worry about that. I came because I wanted to." I laced my fingers behind my back. "Besides, I'd like to think of Marco as my friend too."

He chuckled, "Is that so? Well, in that case, do you want to grab a bite to eat?" He pointed in the distance with his thumb and added, "I think the cafeteria is this way. We can get something to eat while the police talk to Marco."

I smiled, "I'd like that very much."

He grinned, "Come on then."

I followed as we made our way. We passed multiple hospital personnel; doctors, nurses, custodians, and so on. I couldn't really hear any of their conversations, but I was okay with that. I was too focused on Jean. I didn't understand it at the time, but it was like I was in awe. It was as if I was amazed by everything he did; his walk, the way he breathed, and so much more. Just the very sight of him had me under a trance.

I shook my head at that. Snap out of it, Y/N. I told myself. You have a boyfriend and he has a girlfriend. How many times do I need to say that? But it was hopeless. The more time I spent with him, the more I seemed to not care about those factors. Stupid and selfish, I know.

"I guess I should thank you," he said just then, not looking at me.

I lifted a brow, questioning, "For what?"

He glanced down, answering, "For being here. I know it means a lot to Marco and...you kept me calm."

It took a moment for his words to register, but I waved my hands dismissively and laughed halfheartedly, "Oh, no need to thank me. Just did what anyone would do."

He glanced down at me, those sharp eyes suddenly appearing so soft as a gentle smile painted itself across his lips. "Yeah -just anyone would do this."

I could feel my features flush scarlet as heat dusted itself across my face. Him looking at me the way he did...it made me feel some kind of way. Being near him, in general, made my body react in ways I wasn't used to it doing. My heart sped up, my face burned, my breath became shallow...I didn't know what any of that meant.

"Really," I said, glimpsing away. "It's nothing."

I could feel him study me a little while longer before chuckling, "Whatever you say."

Silence once again blanketed us. The quiet hums of the hospital chirped around us as my pulse sounded in my ears, reminding me that I was, for some reason, flustered. I tried to ignore it all and shove it away, but just being near him made me lose a sense of myself.

We rounded the bend and were about ready to pass the emergency room when we heard a commotion. We both glanced up, but all we saw was a mass of people screaming though it was the police that caught my attention. Two of them were restraining a man wearing a navy-blue hoodie with the hood drawn up. He was putting up one hell of a fight, yelling and crying as he flailed his head.

I honestly didn't think much about him until I took one glance at his right shoulder. Blood stained the material of his hoodie, the dark spot appearing soaked compared to the rest of his clothes. It took a second to register, but my eyes widened when I realized who it was.

I pointed at the man with a shaky finger and gasped, "O-oh, my God. I-it's...it's -"

But I was cut off as Jean darted to the mass. I watched in horror as he reached the man and yanked his hood back, revealing his identity. He was a man I had seen before. I recognized him...I knew I did. I had seen him on campus...I had seen him during events...and I had seen him at the victims' memorials.

The assistant dean.

"You mother fucker!" Jean snarled, grasping two fistfuls of the man's hoodie. "You fucking piece of garbage!"

"Jean!" I cried, racing over to him. "Jean, get off him!"

"Fuck that!" he spat, not breaking eye contact with the assistant dean. "This prick is the bastard who's been wreaking havoc on campus." He narrowed his eyes at the man. "You fucking bastard. You are scum. Trash like you makes me sick." He leaned in close to the creep, growling lowly, "You played us. You had us all fooled."

Fear bathed the assistant dean's features as his eyes grew wide. He was trying to lean away from Jean, but Jean's iron grasp and the policemen's holds all left him trapped. He couldn't escape. He was helpless and had nowhere to run...just like his victims.

"I can't believe this," I mumbled. "Assistant dean, Wells...you're...you're the -"

"Yeah," Jean confirmed, tightening his grip. "Sick fuck. You stalk and kill young women and then have the audacity to fucking run the show for their memorials? Eh, assistant dean, Wells?"

The man just swallowed, "Jean, listen, it's not what it looks like. This is all a misunderstanding. We can all talk this through."

"Shut up!" Jean snarled. "You killed my cousin. Marianne is dead because of you!"

I won't deny it. Seeing Jean so angry was enough to scare me into oblivion. His eyes were filled with a rage that burned brighter with more power than any fire and his mannerisms were more terrifying. The vein in his neck was popping out, his stare throwing more than just daggers at the assistant dean; they were filled with bloodlust. Murder was written clearly in his eyes and that was what scared me most.

"Jean," I whimpered, tears glossing my eyes. "Jean...stop...you're...you're scaring me."

That seemed to get to him because he snapped out of his trance and turned to me. His eyes softened the moment he met mine. His mouth became agape and he released his hold on the man. I could see the way he was trembling. To be honest, I believed he scared himself. He was close to transforming into the man he detested most.

"Y/N," he breathed. "I'm...I'm so sorry. I just...I lost control. He...he..."

I shook my head and trotted to him, gingerly hitting his shoulder with my fist before burying my face into his chest, sniffling, "Bad...bad, horse face." I swallowed the lump forming in my throat. "Don't do that again."

**Bello my lovelies. Sorry for the long chapter. I really didn't want to split it up. But, hey, they caught the culprit...or did they? I guess y'all will just have to find out, huh? Anyway, I hope everyone is doing good. I also hope y'all liked this chapter. Thank you so flippin' much for everything! Y'all are the bestest! Wuv yous!! <3**

-Noel Ross

P.S. "Monster" by Skillet